CHAPTER XXII--ON THE SCENT
"He's done it! He said he'd make me a laughingstock--and he's done it!"
Verbeck's exclamation brought them to their senses. They steppedthrough the door.
There was a blanket, a store of provisions, a telephone that they knewwithout examination had been connected with the one in the living roombelow, and the end of the dictograph wire.
Fastened to the telephone were several sheets of paper. Verbeck torethem away, and while Muggs and Riley held their torches he read in alow voice the Black Star's message:
"Mr. Roger Verbeck: I am assuming you have answered the call of the damsel and have followed the wire. The snow is somewhat deeper than when the wire was stretched by me, and possibly you have been put to some inconvenience, but it was necessary, I assure you. I trust you liked your trip through the old sewer.
"I thank you for your hospitality, for here I have lived beneath your roof since escaping the silly police.
"I thank you cordially for the police protection afforded me while the chief had his dragnet in operation. It was amusing to look from the window and watch the officers guarding the house carefully to see that I was not disturbed."
"If ever I get my hands on that devil----" Riley exclaimed.
"Keep still, Riley--let me finish it! There may be need for haste yet."
Verbeck read on:
"I said I'd make you a laughingstock, and I have. To-night I send letters to the papers telling them how I hid in your own house, listened to all your plans over a dictograph, and tapped your telephone wire. You cannot hope to match wits with the Black Star.
"It was very simple. I came here the night I escaped, after visiting your apartment and mailing a few letters. Only two of my band knew of my whereabouts and aided me--one of them the charming woman who told you to follow the wire.
"The second night I strung the dictograph wire, tapped the telephone, and carried my provisions here. Then I attacked the apartment-house clerk. I felt very confident you'd move here after that, and I guessed correctly.
"You came. I rested and ate and listened to your conversations. At night, by means of a candle, I signaled from the window to a friend, who took down my messages for the papers and the chief of police.
"It has been great entertainment, I assure you. It was very convenient for me to keep in touch in this way."
"That's sarcasm for you!" Riley exploded.
"Quiet!" Verbeck demanded, and read on:
"Is there anything to explain? Ah, yes! My mode of entrance was not through the door. I strung the wire to the wall and through the hole there, retreated after covering my tracks with dust, and entered in a different place. Perhaps you know your old family estate, Mr. Verbeck, and perhaps not. If you will look at the end of this closet you'll see a section of wall that can be removed. I fixed that. It opens into an old, wide chimney. At some time when the house was remodeled, and the new chimney built, a part of this old one was left intact, probably to save the trouble of remodeling the garret. Inside the chimney you will find a rope ladder--not very well made, it is true, yet serviceable. Descend, and you'll be able to get into the new chimney. Go down far enough and you will find yourself beside the hood over the kitchen stove.
"By extending a hand down while you three were in the living room, I was able to put on your loaf of bread the black stars that bothered you so much. I was able in the same manner to tap Mr. Muggs on the head as he bent over his pots and pans. It was a scientific tap, and as he reeled I clutched him by the collar and decorated his forehead with a star. Very simple, I assure you.
"I nearly laughed aloud when Riley built the big fire to smoke me out if I happened to be in the chimney. I had got back into the old chimney, of course, and closed the opening by that time.
"Thanks once more for your splendid hospitality. To-night being the time for my best effort so far in your city, I must leave you. My new headquarters have been arranged by my friends, and I am sure they'll prove much more comfortable. I'll direct my work from there hereafter.
"Since I had to get away from your house, I had a certain woman call you up and tell you to follow the wire. I knew it would take an hour or two for you to do so. After you had gone, I descended the chimney, slipped out of the back door. At least, that is what I intend doing after writing this letter, and I am sure my plans will come out all right.
"I would like to use your splendid roadster again as I leave, but cannot, as I have made other plans.
"And now, Mr. Verbeck, search this closet well, and you'll find a short note telling you what I intend doing to-night. The search may delay you a little, and delay will help me."
*****
As Verbeck finished reading, and crammed the letter into his pocket,Riley, muttering madly to himself, began pawing among the Black Star'sprovisions in search of the note. Muggs attacked a pile of old toys ina corner. Verbeck stood still in the center of the closet for amoment, astounded.
The Black Star had hidden in _his_ house, with the police guard aroundit! The Black Star had sent word to the newspapers of what he haddone. Laughingstock! Roger Verbeck would not dare show his face amonghis friends, unless---- There was one way to wipe out this slur theBlack Star had thrown upon him--by capturing the master criminal at hiswork!
Verbeck joined in the search. Working frantically, they hurled toysaround the closet, scattered cans and boxes of provisions, shookblankets. Then Verbeck remembered the opening in the wall, and soughtuntil he found it. There, pinned to the top rung of the crude ropeladder, was the note.
"Read it, quick, boss!" Muggs begged. "I want to get my hands on thatcrook! I'll show him how to tap me on the head!"
Verbeck read quickly:
"As you have said, I love jewels--especially diamonds. There is a new shipment in the city that exceeds in value even your famous necklace, Mr. Verbeck. The general public does not know of this shipment, which has just been received. But, having ways of finding out things, I do know of it.
"To-night I raid the vault of Jones & Co., diamond importers, on the second floor of the National Building."
*****
With a roar that could have been heard half a block, Detective Rileysprang through the door and toward the head of the stairs, Muggs andRoger Verbeck at his heels.
Four steps at a time they took the two flights, and burst into theliving room like madmen, startling the officers there.
"Quick!" Riley cried to the sergeant. "Call headquarters, privateline! Tell them to surround block of National Building. Black Star'sraiding Jones & Co.! You, Muggs! Start the car! Ready, Verbeck?"
The sergeant whirled toward them.
"Phone's dead! Wires cut, I suppose!" he reported.
"Of course! Trust the Black Star not to forget that! Get the nearestphone, sergeant--probably one across street!"
He dashed out, following Verbeck. They sprang into the roadster. Muggssent the machine shooting at the big gate, through it, into the broadboulevard, sounding his horn like a maniac, jumping the powerfulengine into its greatest speed.